Ghost Regiment Comes Alive: 63 Cavalry Celebrates Diamond Jubilee

Western Sector, 16 March 2016

The 63 Cavalry or ‘Tresath’, is celebrating its Diamond Jubilee somewhere in the Western Sector. In a unique ceremony christened Heritage Review, the present generation of Cavalry men paid tribute to their elders and Heritage equipment which was reviewed by Lt Gen KJ Singh, GOC-in-C Western Command.

The parade was set alive by the vintage tanks and armoured cars paraded in running condition which had been consigned to junkyards and forgotten by many. The Armoured Vehicles included the World War-II vintage American Cadillac tank ‘STUART-VI’, the British Humber Armoured Car and Daimler armoured car popularly known as ‘DINGO’. But the showstopper of the event was the American M-113 Bradley which caught every eye as this equipment steered across the parade ground being first of its kind to do so on Indian soil. Astonishingly, the Regiment was also the first to use this equipment before the Americans inducted it in their inventory. Parading past with Pride and Honour, the Regiment also managed to muster the same crews who had operated these vintage equipment. The tanks that won laurels for the Regiment during the 1971 Indo-Pak war in the Eastern Theatre namely Ferret Scout Car, PT-76 and T-55 were also showcased in fully serviceable condition, befitting the occasion.

Apart from other functions, a special Sainik Sammelan was also held, which was attended by all serving and retired officers, JCOs and Jawans with their families.

The Regiment, which was raised in the princely state of Alwar, Rajasthan, has participated in UN Peace keeping operations in Congo from 1961 to 1962, earned two VrC, seven Sena Medals, and ten Mention-in-Dispatches. The appearance of Tresath tanks from four cardinal directions coupled with the shock and awe it unleashed, earned the unit an epithet of the “GHOST REGIMENT” from the enemy. Tresath tanks were the only armoured column that reached the capital, Dacca with its T-55 and PT-76 tanks. It was bestowed with the Battle Honour of Bogra and Theatre Honour of East Pakistan and earned eight gallantry awards.

‘Tresath’ has aided civil administration on a number of occasions, notably during 1992 floods in Punjab and the Gujarat & Sikkim Earthquake in 2001 & 2011. The Regiment has also combated the menace of terrorism in Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir and the North Eastern States. On completion of 25 years of meritorious service in 1982, the Regiment was presented Guidon by the President of India Late Neelam Sanjiva Reddy for its yeoman service to the nation. Tresath has had the distinction of earning 121 Honours & Awards which include PVSMs, Veer Chakras and Sena Medals.

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Editor, National Defence

National Defence (Fight For India) is the initiative of independent Indian journalist Shailesh Kumar, a Strategic Alarmist and National Interest Crusader. With 15 years of media experience, Shailesh Kumar has previously worked with leading television brands.